The secret weapon that could help Doncaster Rovers Belles beat Stourbridge in top-of-the-table clash

Belles head into what could be a key fixture in their season in fine form having gone nine matches unbeaten with eight wins and as many clean sheets during that time.

Only goal difference separates them from Stourbrigde, who hold top spot in the FAWNL Division One Midlands with a game in hand.

Belles skipper Jess Andrew said: “We’ve got some good momentum, something is just clicking.

"It’s that togetherness, our formation is clicking, people’s confidence and the pure enjoyment - that’s what I put it down to and it’s really good to be around.

"We’ve got no pressure on us and we’re just really enjoying playing.”

Nick Buxton’s high-fliers warmed up for this weekend with a 3-0 win over Lincoln City on Sunday.

They continue to punch above their weight in the fourth tier despite several rival teams now paying their players.

Andrew said: “It’s quite cliché but we are just a bunch of girls that turn up to play a good standard of football after work.

"It gives us a bit more incentive to say ‘we are not getting paid but we will give you a good game anyway’.”

Stourbridge are one of the teams who are able to pay their players and the Black Country outfit beat Belles 3-0 in the reverse fixture in October.

They will also have home advantage this weekend.

But centre-back Andrew said: “Anyone can beat anyone in this league, it depends who shows up on the day.

"I don’t think there's a massive difference between the two teams. Stourbridge are a very good side, they score lots of goals, are very well organised and have got a good structure.

"They have got the backing of the club and it’s good to see. We are the same. We don’t attract players from afar, but we have got passion and desire and there’s no match for that.”

While Belles want to build on last season's second-placed finish and go one further this term, Andrew doesn’t view Sunday as a title-decider.

She said: “We’re halfway through the season, there’s still a long way to go.

"We get surprising results all the time. I always say to the girls ‘it’s a long season’.”